Battery terminal clamp



April 9, 1940. B. E. RYDER BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP Filed Dec. 29, 1938 Inventor By gm"; A iiorneys Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT orr ee BATTERY: TERMINAL CLABIP Bruce E. Ryder, Canandaigua, N. Y. Application December 29, 1938, Serial No. 248,305

1 Claim. (01. 173-259) This invention relates to what is believed to be a structurally distinct and therefore novel clamp expressly adapted for adequately securing a conductor cable to a storage battery post, and the outstanding object of the invention is to provide a comparatively new and more efficient type of connector clamp than is at present known to me.

Many different styles of battery post connectors and clamping devices are at present in vogue and many more have been patented without having found their way to the market. Thus, as implied by the introductory statement, I am aware that the art to which the present invention relates is active, is characterized by innumerable clamps, many possessed of recognizable generic features. Nevertheless, after due deliberation and considerationof the prior art in general, I have evolved and perfected for use a comparatively distinct construction which, it is believed, better meets the requirements of the trade and is possessed of such merit as to justify its endorsement if and when successfully commercialized.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing a fragmentary portion of a storage battery, the post, the cable and the improved clamp as developed in accordance with my ideas and plans.

Figure 2 is a view detailing the clamping device in longitudinal sectional form.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the device, a portion thereof appearing in elevation.

In the drawing, the storage battery is denoted by the numeral 4 and a conventional post by the numeral 5. The regulation conductor cable is indicated at 6 and this is appropriately fastened at l to the unique quick attachable and detachable clamp. The essential or body portion of the clamp 8 is made up of two distinct companion portions. At one end is the link-like loop 9 which is fashioned to fit down over and partially embrace the tapered post 5. At the opposite end of the structure is what may be conveniently called a sheath I0 and in the pocket portion ll of this is the cam clamping head l2 of the conveniently located retaining lever I3. The head is eccentrically pivoted in the pocket as at I 4, the arrangement being such as to exert thrust pressure against the adjusting and retaining stud l5 of the slidable binding or clamping jaw I6 The jaw is shaped to embrace the remaining half of the post and is slidably mounted in the so-called loop. As a matter of fact, it will 'be observed that the portion of the body between the loop and sheath is in the nature of a partition and this apertured'to provide a guide opening for said thrust pin or stud l5. Thus, by projecting into the pocket the pin is in the path of swing of the cam element l2. It follows that end of the body.

by closing the cam this serves to lock the sliding jaw in binding relation with the post. Conversely, by tripping and opening the cam lever the movable jaw is released to permit quick application and removal of the device as a whole.

It is to be noted that the handle portion of the lever is suiiiciently ofi-set to dispose it externally and along one longitudinal edge portion of the sheath to render it conveniently accessible. Consequently, a screw driver or similar instrument can be handily employed for opening and closing the lever. Generally this is the only tool that is necessary to expedite use of this novel clamp.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A battery post clamp of the class described comprising a one-piece longitudinally elongated body cylindrical in cross sectional shape at one end and socketed to accommodate a battery cable, the opposite end and intermediate porstandardized battery post, that portion of the body opposed to the curvate bight of the U- shaped yoke constituting a partition and being apertured to provide a stud opening, that portion between the first-named socketed end and said partition having a cavity therein opening outwardly through one longitudinal edge of the body, the walls of said cavity defining in effect a sheath-like cam accommodation pocket, a block slidably mounted between the side arms of the yoke, one face of the block being curved to engage and conform to the adjacent part of said battery post the opposite face being flat and opposed in parallelism to the adjacent surface of said partition and being provided with a stud extending through said aperture and into said cam pocket, a cam snugly confined between the top and bottom walls of the pocket and engageable with said stud, and a pivot pin for said cam extending through the cam and through the top and bottom walls of the pocket a portion of said cam projecting outwardly through the open side of the pocket and being fashioned into a finger lever projecting toward and beyond the socketed BRUCE E. RYDER. 

